BRACKNELL Bees turned in a pair of brave performances but ultimately suffered two defeats during the weekend in the English Premier Ice Hockey League, culminating with a 4-3 reverse against Sheffield Steeldogs at The Hive on Sunday night.

After an entertaining start, the visitors took a 14th-minute lead courtesy of Lubomir Korhon, who smashed a shot past Bees’ netminder Alex Mettam.

They extended their advantage just before the end of the first period, with Steve Duncombe on target after good work from Stanislav Lascek and Andrew Hirst.

The game appeared up for the Bees shortly before the half hour when Tom Squires made it 3-0, the assists coming from Korhon and Lewis Bell.

Vanya Antonov gave the home side a lifeline in the final minute of the second stanza, with Lukas Smital and Milan Kostourek contributing to the build-up.

Bell made it 4-1 with a little more than 12 minutes ago, but Bees showed incredible character to almost force overtime.

Firstly Kostourek cut the gap following good work from Antonov and man-of-the-match Jan Bendik, and Matt Foord, made it 4-3 with two minutes left to play.

However, the hosts were unable to find the net again and slipped to defeat.

Bees had fallen to a 5-2 defeat at Peterborough Phantoms the previous night. Waller equalised in the second period after the hosts had gone ahead early on, but a four-goal burst in 10 final-period minutes sealed the game for Phantoms.

Young Tom Beesley scored a late goal for Bees but it was merely a consolation.

Bees – who saw Frantisek Bakrlik (pictured) depart for Milton Keynes Lightning on Wednesday of last week – have a double-header against the Steeldogs this weekend. They visit Sheffield on Saturday (7.30pm) before returning to The Hive on Sunday night (6pm).